131-c. Location and construction of bridges. The board may authorize the location, change of location and construction of any bridge, applied for by any town or towns, jointly, or by other than a municipal corporation, created under a general law, or by any corporation or individual for private purposes; and if a public bridge, erected other than by a municipal corporation, establish the rates of toll for crossing such bridge; but if such bridge is to cross a navigable stream, provision shall be made in the resolution or permission authorizing the same, for the erection and maintenance of a suitable draw, to prevent any obstruction of the navigation of such stream; and if a private bridge, provision shall be made that the draw shall be kept open as may be required to permit all vessels to pass without loss of headway. When such bridge shall be intersected by the line of counties, the action of the board of supervisors of each county shall be necessary to give the jurisdiction herein permitted. If such bridge is to cross a stream which is navigable in fact, it, including its abutments, and piers, if any, shall be located and constructed in accordance with maps, plans and specifications to be approved by the department of transportation; and not otherwise, and copies of such maps, plans and specifications showing the location, character, design and dimensions of such bridge, and the fact of such approval shall be filed in the office of the department of transportation.
Last modified: February 3, 2019